Hartlepool design student sees work win place at Christmas switch-on

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Published:13:43Saturday 28 November 2015

A college graduate set up her own costume business has worked with fellow art students to create a series of colourful outfits which were showcased as part of this year’s Newcastle Christmas Lights festivities.

Former Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) student Lauren Deal, 22, from Hartlepool, who graduated last year with a first class degree in costume design, now manages The Northern Costumiers.

She invited costume degree students Shannon Garland and Fran Stockell to gain valuable industry experience to help make four outfits based on the characters Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay from the Disney musical fantasy film ‘Descendants’.

The costumes were created for popular party planner, Ginger Parties, who contacted The Northern Costumiers and the outfits were then featured as part of the Christmas festivities at intu Eldon Square.

The costume shop, which also offers sewing and seamstress services, was set up last year by Lauren and is already proving to be a success, so Lauren was delighted to be able to give the opportunity to learn from a real business brief to students from her former college.

She said: “It has been great fun to work with Shannon and Fran.

“I hope that they enjoyed their experience and seeing the costumes all complete and on show.

“It was nice to be able to give something back to the college, as I really enjoyed my time at CCAD, especially the close working atmosphere and the excellent range of facilities.

“The business is going really well and it was fantastic to be part of the festive event working for Ginger Parties.”